Mothers' Union

We are a Christian organisation that has been supporting families worldwide for nearly 150 years. Started by founder Mary Sumner in 1876 in her local Hampshire parish, growing into an international charity with over 4 million members in 83 countries. As Christian members we demonstrate our faith in action with members working at a ground level around the world, they bring hope and pracitcal support through parenting, literacy and community development programmes. As a registered charity we campaign at local, national, international levels to bring about real change for gender equality and for the rights of women and girls.

Our Mission

• To promote and support married life

• To encourage parents in their role to develop the faith of their children

• To maintain a worldwide fellowship of Christians united in prayer, worship and service

• To promote conditions in society favourable to stable family life and the protection of children

• To help those whose family life has met with adversity

Salisbury Diocese and Mothers' Union

In Salisbury Diocese the Mothers' Union have 40 groups, 716 members, 10 projects. Led by our Diocesan Bishop, Stephen Lake, the Diocese of Salisbury's vision is Making Jesus Known. Embracing this theme together with our own Mothers' Union aims and objectives, our members endeavour to walk 'In Mary Sumner's Footsteps' reaching out and sharing Christian love to all.

Prayer

Prayer is the foundation of everything we do as members of Mothers' Union in the Diocese of Salisbury. We are fortunate to have our own Chaplain, Revd Jayne Tyrer, who leads our prayer and worship at all our trustee meetings and our council meetings.

The Mothers' Union have a monthly communion service in Salisbury Cathedral in which all are invited.

We always hold our link dioceses of: Botswana, Marsabit in Kenya, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and Idah and Jebba in Nigeria in our prayers.

Newsletter

Windows Winter Newsletter 2026

Projects

Away from it all: AFIA

We provide "Away from it all" holidays in our six-berth mobile holiday home in Rockley Park, Poole, for those in need. There are still opportunities for booking for the rest of this year. (We would welcome volunteers to help with bookings) Contact the Mothers' Union below.

Prisons

We support Erlestoke prison for men in the Diocese. Our members provide support through our Angel Tree project, where we provide and wrap presents for the children of prisoners to receive at Christmas.

Social Justice

We continue our strong links with the women's refuges within the diocese, particularly with Salisbury Women's Refuge. We support the Mothers' Union RISE UP Campaign against Domestic Abuse and gender violence. As part of the International UN-led annual 16 Days of Activism Campaign against Gender based violence, our members come together for a high-profile eucharist service in Salisbury Cathedral to which several other agencies are invited. Prisons

We support Erlestoke prison for men in the Diocese. Our members provide support through our Angel Tree project, where we provide and wrap presents for the children of prisoners to receive at Christmas.

Schools and our virtual baby programme

This wonderful project started 11 years ago and takes computerised 'babies' into 9 schools (across the diocese) where pupils have the opportunity to look after them and discover the realities of having a baby. Mothers' Union provide the 'e-safety' package and delivers it to schools.

Contact Us:

For more information visit: www.mothersunion.org

Mothers’ Union, St Thomas's House, St Thomas's Square, Salisbury, SP1 1BA
Open Tuesdays and Thursdays 11:00 - 17:00

Sandra Gamble, Diocesan President: 01722 333402, mothers.union@btconnect.com
Jenny Harrison, Secretary: mothers.union@btconnect.com
Suzanne Waters, Treasurer: 01722 782353, suzannewaters785@btinternet.com